Vermont Libraries Included in Broadband Grant Award

Good news!

The Department of Libraries is happy to confirm that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration yesterday awarded a $33.4 million grant to deploy a fiber optic network across the state of Vermont. The grant award will go to the Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) as part of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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ALA Councilor’s Report #3

My third day representing Vermont at the ALA conference in Washington, DC was  busy and fun. I began the morning early at the Sunrise Speaker session featuring Dennis Lehane. He gave an interesting presentation about books to film and the writing life. He seemed like the kind of guy you would like to have a beer with; witty and self-deprecating. Because I had to attend my second council meeting a friend stood in line at the exhibit hall to score me an advanced reading  copy of his new Partick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro mystery!

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ALA Councilor's Report #3

My third day representing Vermont at the ALA conference in Washington, DC was  busy and fun. I began the morning early at the Sunrise Speaker session featuring Dennis Lehane. He gave an interesting presentation about books to film and the writing life. He seemed like the kind of guy you would like to have a beer with; witty and self-deprecating. Because I had to attend my second council meeting a friend stood in line at the exhibit hall to score me an advanced reading  copy of his new Partick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro mystery!
Read more→

ALA Councilor’s report #2

I am pleased to report on my second day at ALA in Washington, DC. Our first Council meeting was held in the morning and we heard reports from committees and officers. We adopted a resolution Reaffirming Equal Employment for GBTL library workers. We also passed a resolution on Non-Discrimination in Conference Contracts. These resolutions will be posted to the ALA website soon.

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ALA Councilor's report #2

I am pleased to report on my second day at ALA in Washington, DC. Our first Council meeting was held in the morning and we heard reports from committees and officers. We adopted a resolution Reaffirming Equal Employment for GBTL library workers. We also passed a resolution on Non-Discrimination in Conference Contracts. These resolutions will be posted to the ALA website soon.
Read more→

VLC Survey Results

The results of the 2010 Vermont Library Conference survey are in, and the respondents have expressed three clear preferences: continue meeting on a college or university campus (92%), keep the one day format (67%), and no vendor hall (58%). These results will be used in planning future conferences. Thanks to all attendees who responded!

ALA Councilor’s Report #1

Greetings from hot and sunny Washington, DC! I am happy to report on American Library Association activities for Vermont. After a long train ride I made it to DC last evening.

I attended my first meeting of the Chapter Relations Committee this afternoon. The Chapter Relations Office at ALA in Chicago  is the office that helps state associations  work with the ALA office. At this meeting various board and committee members report on their initiatives and activities  that benefit state chapters. Joseph Egan, a member of the executive board mentioned that there is a virtual ALA conference on July 7th and 8th. More information may be found at the ALA website. This is a good opportunity for folks who can’t make it to national conferences.

Keith Michael Fiels, executive director of ALA, mentioned that the organization may be very close to getting funding to states for advocacy. ALA has made a huge commitment to training library advocates.

I will have more to report tomorrow.

Nancy Wilson, Vermont Chapter Councilor

ALA Councilor's Report #1

Greetings from hot and sunny Washington, DC! I am happy to report on American Library Association activities for Vermont. After a long train ride I made it to DC last evening.
I attended my first meeting of the Chapter Relations Committee this afternoon. The Chapter Relations Office at ALA in Chicago  is the office that helps state associations  work with the ALA office. At this meeting various board and committee members report on their initiatives and activities  that benefit state chapters. Joseph Egan, a member of the executive board mentioned that there is a virtual ALA conference on July 7th and 8th. More information may be found at the ALA website. This is a good opportunity for folks who can’t make it to national conferences.
Keith Michael Fiels, executive director of ALA, mentioned that the organization may be very close to getting funding to states for advocacy. ALA has made a huge commitment to training library advocates.
I will have more to report tomorrow.
Nancy Wilson, Vermont Chapter Councilor